Memoir of Nollywood at 20 in Germany

WHEN the Nigerian community in Essen, Germany hoisted the banners recently, it was to celebrate one of the exports of Nigeria to the world, as activities were lined up to create a buzz around Nigeria’s home video industry, otherwise called Nollywood. The sector, according to industry watchers, is 20 years old, going by the records of when video films, made on VHS became popular in Nigeria.

Put together by Isaac Izoya, through is entertainment outfit, Ehizoya Golden Entertainment, the 20th anniversary of Nollywood in Essen, Germany went down with elaborate cultural exhibition which was crowned with climaxed with an awards night where several Nollywood actors and their counterparts from Ghana were in attendance.

In the words of Izoya, “it would have been a ‘crime’ if the world failed to mark the 20th anniversary of this great industry Nollywood”.

NEGA awards, which was the climax of the event was a rich red carpet razzmatazz that rewarded those who have contribution immensely to the industry since it evolved in1992.

Some of the top personalities that graced the occasion include; Femi Awoniyi, publisher of African Courier Magazine, Benjamin James, Ex-Eagle player and one of the three African coaches in Bundesliga, Hoffenheim jr team, Mr. Sacco, the MD of SaccoReisen, Mr. Festus Omorogbe, ex-president of Edo National Body in Germany, Engr. Dieter Küfner, the president of billionaires club in Germany and his wife Matilda among others.

Some of the Nollywood stars that were present at the occasion include; Zik Zulu Okafor; Charles Inojie who was awarded “Best comic film director”, Monalisa Chinda who won ‘Outstanding Character Actress’ category and Jackie Appiah, winner of ‘Cross Cultural Actress of Nollywood’.

Izoya noted that “Nollywood is 20 years, but 10 years in Germany since the first Nollywood production in Germany “Sinners in the house” was released in 2003. “Ever since”, Izoya said, “we have been keeping to our motto: “The Show Must Go On” with no year ever passing by, without a Nollywood grand event being hosted by our organization, not just in Germany, but across Europe, keeping people closer to our Africa culture.”

Continuing, Izoya said “We borrowed a leaf from Double A Entertainment in Holland, the guys that brought Nollywood to Europe and ever since, we have been at the fore front of the race and no going back. I thank the Nollywood stars who created time from their busy schedules to honour NEGA invitation.

The founders of Double “A” Entertainment since 1998 in the Netherlands and receivers of NEGA “Initiator of Nollywood In Europe” category, Mr. Leonard Ajayi-Odekhiran and Tony A.B. Akinyemi, who were honoured for their movie, Under Pressure (1998) and Dapo Junior (1999) expressed gratitude for what they described as a long overdue honour. “We almost gave up that we’ll never be honoured for our labour. Hardly did we know that someone out there has a profile of our labour. Thanks for the recognition and this award is particularly important to us, not just because it’s our first award, but because of its timing – Nollywood 20th anniversary.”

However, what seemed to be the most emotional of all the speeches was that made by one Joy Amadi, winner of the Lufthansa return ticket to Africa donated by the event’s major sponsor, Sacco Reisen. She said in her appreciation speech, that she had lived in Germany for six years and had been trying to raise travel ticket to Africa, but to no avail. “At first, I thought it was just a showbiz joke, but thank God for the courage to participate in the raffle. I am so thankful to SaccoReisen and Ehizoya for making my dreams come true.

Some of the local stars that made Africans proud through their performance were; Mekxo Judi Master and Shawn Stopper both Hip Hop stars. There was also Reggae star, MacoRas Narrow-Path and Mary J. Queen Fashion from Belgium that promoted the grandeur of African dresses at the event.